Turkish police uses tear gas and water cannons against protesters

September 09, 2013, 11:38 UTC+3According to local TV reports, the rallies took place overnight Monday

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Photo ITAR-TASS/EPA/Tolga Bozoglu

ANKARA, September 9. (Itar-Tass). – Police in Istanbul and Adan used tear gas and water cannons to break up rally against government’s plans to cut trees in the territory of the capital's university. According to local TV reports, the rallies took place overnight Monday; about 10 people have been detained.

Several dozens of people in Adan gathered in Ataturk Park to organize a procession on the way to the city’s downtown. When the police put cordons on one of the crossroads, the protesters blocked the street with banks pulled out from the ground and with other impromptu means. They started to throw stones at the police from behind these barricades. The police managed to calm the mob only with water cannons and tear gas. Several people were injured.

In Istanbul, about 100 people blocked with barricades the traffic at the Ismet Pasha Avenue and kindled fires. After the police had unsuccessfully urged the participants to break up, it was forced to use special means. The protesters started to pull off to the lanes and throw stones.

The rallies are linked to Ankara’s plans to build a route through the territory that belongs to the Middle East Technical University. The university owns several big park belts in the capital, and the construction of a road assumes cutting trees. The students have already made several attempts to oppose the police, but have been driven off.

Students of other universities of several big Turkish cities show solidarity towards the Middle East Technical University. Some observers leave open the possibility that this protest may become a major turmoil similar to the one that took place in Turkey in June. Then, the rallies began when Istanbul residents opposed cutting of trees in Gezi Park.